LOGINA murmur spread through the crowd again, quieter now, more cautious.Lyra’s gaze flicked briefly toward them before returning to Damon, her expression smoothing out with visible effort. “Be careful,” she said softly. “You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”“My judgment is the only reason
Aria’s POVSilence didn’t just fall, it shattered the moment Damon’s words settled over the courtyard, the air turned heavy, thick with disbelief and tension that pressed against my chest until it felt hard to breathe. Every single pair of eyes locked onto me, not with curiosity anymore, but with s
Aria’s POVLyra’s gaze didn’t leave my face nor did Kade’s.And Damon… I didn’t need to look at him to feel the bond between us humming under my skin, stronger now, steadier in a way that made it impossible to ignore. The suppressants were gone, the barriers stripped away, and everything I had worke
Damon’s POVI knew she would hate me for it.The moment the word yes left my mouth, I felt it settle into my bones like a decision that would not be undone. There had been no hesitation in my voice, no visible crack in my control, but inside, something had shifted into place with a finality I could
Aria’s POVThe silence after that was not empty… it was alive.It pressed against my skin, thick and suffocating, like the entire chamber had been holding its breath and now didn’t know what to do with it. My heart was still hammering from the Queen’s declaration, from the way she had spoken so calm
Aria’s POVMorning came too fast, like the night had been impatient to abandon me.I woke before I even opened my eyes fully, aware of the warmth beside me, aware of the steady rhythm of breathing that didn’t belong to me. For a moment I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, remembering exactly ho
We were being overrun.I turned, scanning the battlefield, searching for any opening, any advantage, but there was none.Only chaos, only blood, only loss.Blinding, searing pain ripped through my side as something suddenly slammed into me from behind. I barely registered the impact before claws tor
I veered toward the treeline, my boots slipping slightly in the mud as I moved deeper into the shadows and then I saw a faint, unnatural glow flickering through the trees.My breath hitched. “That has to be it,” I whispered.I moved closer, careful now, every step measured.The device was smaller th
The Enforcers straightened, attention snapping fully to me.“Evacuate everyone in the packhouse to the lower safe rooms,” I continued. “No exceptions. Elders, civilians, everyone. I don’t want a single non-combatant above ground.”Thorne nodded immediately. “Understood.”“Seal every entrance,” I add
Damon’s POVThe second the ground shook, instinct took over. I didn’t hesitate, I just moved.“Stay here,” I ordered, my voice sharp as I grabbed the door and yanked it open.Behind me, Aria stumbled a step forward. “Wait, what do you mean stay here?” She demanded, her voice tight with panic. “Damon







